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CRT Legislative Update, Week 6
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February 19, 2022
Paul D. Seltzer, DO, Legislative Chair
Stephen R. Winn, ED
Michelle W. Larson, Assoc. ED
Jason D. Winn, Esq.
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The legislative clock is winding down toward the end of the session as legislators scramble to get bills heard in committee. As we move toward the budget conference, policy subcommittees will conclude their meetings, further blunting the movement of legislation. Although several bills will wither on the vine, those heard in at least one committee of reference are subject to being amended onto viable legislation. The FOMA remains vigilant, keeping a close watch over the process as the legislative engineers begin positioning stalled bills and forming trains.
This week, the House and Senate passed their respective budget plans, setting the stage for a budget conference. Senate and House appropriations conferees were appointed. In the coming weeks, conferees will begin negotiations to reconcile differences between the two plans. Any issues not resolved by the subcommittees will be bumped to the appropriations chairs and the presiding officers of the House and Senate until a deal is reached on the final budget. After an agreement is reached, a final vote will be held in the House and Senate before the FY 2022-23 Budget is transmitted to the Governor for his consideration. The Governor has line-item veto authority and could use this power to remove certain funding items adopted by the legislature.
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The FOMA Supports
Hearing Aids for Children
with bill sponsor Rep. Brannan & cosponsor Rep. Zika
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Steve Winn, Sheriff Miller & Congressman Dunn
Attending fundraiser in support of Sheriffs Youth Ranches
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Clearing another hurdle, SB 1476 relating to prescription drug coverage was unanimously passed by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government. The bill provides an enforcement mechanism for violations of established PBM audit protections for licensed pharmacies. Under current law, the Board of Pharmacy cannot enforce Pharmacy Act violations committed by PBMs and insurers.
This legislation transfers the audit provisions of the Florida Pharmacy Act to the Florida Insurance Code, granting the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) the ability to respond to potential violations. The bills also allow pharmacies to appeal audit findings through AHCA’s Dispute Resolution Program. In addition, the bills establish a financial penalty for PBMs failing to register with OIR. Finally, the measures provide that a health insurer is responsible for violations of the pharmacy audit provisions, even if a PBM is contracted to manage pharmacy benefits on behalf of the insurer or HMO.
SB 1476 has one committee of reference remaining, the Senate Appropriations Committee. The House companion, HB 357, has passed all committees and is eligible for consideration by the Full House House of Representatives.
The FOMA Supports this legislation.
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HB 0357 Pharmacies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers by Toledo
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SB 1476 Prescription Drug Coverage by Wright
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To review the legislation contained in the tracking report in greater detail:
- Click on the Bill Number Link.
- This will take you to a shared LobbyTools webpage.
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- Find the section titled Bill Text and Amendments
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Legislative Calendar Week 7
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DeSantis receives the COVID protections bill and signs...
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed two bills and received nine others, including a measure that would extend COVID-19 legal protections for hospitals and other health care providers. Meantime, the state Senate unanimously passed a nearly $109...
Read more
health.wusf.usf.edu
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Bills would guarantee visitation at Florida's health...
Jean White has fond memories of her mother visiting her at the horse farm she lives on in Brooksville, before her mom's dementia worsened and she started living in a memory care facility. "Interestingly enough, she would remember one of my...
Read more
health.wusf.usf.edu
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Why millions on Medicaid are at risk of losing coverage...
The Biden administration and state officials are bracing for a great unwinding: millions of people losing their Medicaid benefits when the pandemic health emergency ends. Some might sign up for different insurance. Many others are bound to get...
Read more
health.wusf.usf.edu
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The opioid epidemic continues to plague communities in...
The opioid crisis continues to take lives across North Central Florida, and local organizations are trying to find ways to combat it. Since 2018, the Ocala Police Department has responded to over 1,000 overdose incidents, which have resulted in...
Read more
health.wusf.usf.edu
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